Atlanta society helps Savannah-Chatham Animal Control

Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News Savannah-Chatham police animal control officers carry three puppies out of the Animal Control Center on Sallie Mood Drive Thursday afternoon to a waiting trailer from the Atlanta Humane Society. The Atlanta Humane Society took 30 dogs and 30 cats from the Savannah center that is currently undergoing a rennovation and has one-third less space for animals for about the next five weeks.

Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News A puppy from the Savannah-Chatham Animal Control Center is carried to a trailer from the Atlanta Humane Society Thursday afternoon at the Sallie Mood Drive facility. The Atlanta Humane Society took 60 animals from the Savannah-Chatham center that currently has a smaller-than-usual capacity as it undergoes repairs.

Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News A dog that has been living recently at the Savannah-Chatham Animal Control Center is checked in with a representative from the Atlanta Humane Society Thursday afternoon. The Humane Society took 60 animals off the hands of the Savannah center that is currently undergoing repairs and has a decreased animal capacity.

An influx of help from animal advocate organizations has helped the Savannah-Chatham Animal Control Center reach a manageable number of animals as renovations continue.

Only two-thirds of the facility’s dog kennels will be available for the next four to five weeks as repairs are made to the kennel floors in an effort to limit the amount of bacteria and viruses living there.

Thursday afternoon a group from the Atlanta Humane Society traveled to the Animal Control Center off Sallie Mood Drive and took 60 animals back to the state capitol with them. The clearing of the 30 cats and 30 dogs likely means a number of animals will avoid euthanasia.

“This is a huge relief for us,” said Animal Control Officer Christina Sutherin. “We have the ability now here to hold onto some of our guys longer and we’ve even got some empty space now.”

The society was contacted last week and agreed to take every animal that could be prepared by Thursday, Sutherin said.

“They were gracious enough to come all the way down here and take as many as we could get ready for them,” she said. “It’s saving two lives for each dog they’ve taking — that dog, who will be permanently adopted in Atlanta, and another dog who can now be housed in one of the empty kennels.”

Sutherin said adopters are still needed; anyone interested in adopting from the Animal Control Center can visit during its normal operating hours, 1-5 p.m. daily at 7211 Sallie Mood Drive.